Search South Dakota LLC & Corporation Records
This guide helps you use the official South Dakota Secretary of State Business Information Search to look up LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, business IDs, registered agents, certificates, certified copies, and annual report paths.
Use it before you pay for a certificate, file an annual report, check a name, update a registered agent, request certified copies, or verify whether a company record is active.
Fast answer: Use the South Dakota Secretary of State Business Information Search to search businesses by Search Name or Secretary of State Business ID. The official search page also offers Starts With, Contains, and Active Entities Only options.
Best practical workflow: search the business name broadly → open the matching record → confirm entity type and status → copy the Business ID → review registered agent and address → use annual report, certificate, certified copy, or agent-change services only when needed.
Important difference: South Dakota SOS entity records are not the same as tax registration, professional licensing, insurance proof, local permits, or legal advice. Verify those separately when needed.
I Want To… Pick the Right South Dakota SOS Page
Start with your real task. This avoids the common mistake of opening a paid certificate or filing tool before confirming the correct business record.
Find an LLC or corporation
Use Business Information Search when you know the entity name, partial name, or Secretary of State Business ID.
Search businessUse Business ID
Business ID is the cleanest exact-match lookup. Use it for reports, certificates, copies, and contact questions.
Search by IDFind registered agent
Search by registered agent first name, last name, agent number, or agent business name.
Search agentsCheck name availability
Use the exact-name availability search, then test variations through Business Information Search.
Check nameFile annual report
Active registered entities can use the annual report tool. Business ID is needed for filing.
Annual reportGet certificate
Request Certificate of Good Standing/Existence for eligible registered business entities.
CertificateRequest certified copies
Certified copies require the Business ID and document selection from the official process.
Certified copiesStart a new business
Use online registration for eligible entity types or prepare paper forms with possible paper processing fee.
Start businessSouth Dakota Search Helper Before You Click
Tap the situation closest to your task. This small helper tells you which official SOS path to use first.
Choose your search situation
How to Search South Dakota Business Records by Name or Business ID
The official search page is simple, but the wrong filter can hide useful results. Use this section while you search.
Open the official Business Information Search
Use the South Dakota Secretary of State search page. The official form includes Search Name, Starts With, Contains, Business ID, and Active Entities Only options.
Open official search
Image description: this user-help visual reference shows the South Dakota SOS Business Information Search screen where users can search by business name or Business ID, including Starts With, Contains, and Active Entities Only options. It is not a claim that this website is the official state website.
Start with Contains if unsure
If you do not know the exact beginning of the legal name, use the strongest unique word and the Contains option. Avoid suffixes like LLC, Inc, Corporation, Company, or punctuation in your first search.
Use Active Entities Only carefully
Active Entities Only is useful for current businesses, but it can hide dissolved, revoked, delinquent, or old records that may still matter for verification.
Open the business detail page
Do not rely only on the results row. Open the record and check status, entity type, filing date, registered agent, address, and available filing information.
Copy the Secretary of State Business ID
The Business ID is required or helpful for annual reports, certificates, certified copies, registered-agent changes, and future official questions.
Check related SOS tools
If name search is not enough, use Registered Agent Search, Name Availability Search, DBA/Fictitious Name Search, Certificate of Good Standing, or Certified Copies from the official Business Services portal.
Use paid services only after confirming the record
Before paying for a certificate or copies, make sure the legal name and Business ID match the entity you actually need.
How to Read a South Dakota Entity Record Without Making a Wrong Assumption
A business record is useful only if you understand what each field can and cannot prove.
Business name
Compare exact spelling, punctuation, and suffix. Similar names can belong to unrelated entities.
Business ID
Use this for annual reports, certificates, certified copies, registered-agent changes, and exact future lookup.
Entity type
LLC, corporation, nonprofit, LLP, LP, cooperative, trust, and foreign entities can have different rules and fees.
Status
Status helps show whether the entity appears active, delinquent, administratively dissolved, revoked, or changed.
Registered agent
The registered agent receives official notices and service of process. Agent details can be searched separately.
Filing details
Use certified copies when a screenshot or public view is not enough for banks, contracts, vendors, or official proof.
Registered Agent Search When Business Name Search Is Not Enough
South Dakota has a separate registered-agent search that can show agent information and businesses represented by each agent.
Search by person or agent number
Use first name, middle name, last name, or valid RA number when you know the individual registered agent.
Search registered agentSearch by agent business name
Use this when the registered agent is a company, commercial agent, law office, or service provider.
Open agent searchSouth Dakota Name Availability Exact Search and Variation Check
South Dakota’s name availability page is an exact-name search. For variations, the official page tells users to use Business Information Search.
Good screening method
- Search the exact proposed business name first.
- Use Business Information Search for spelling and wording variations.
- Search with and without LLC, Inc, Corporation, Company, and punctuation.
- Search singular, plural, abbreviation, and common misspelling versions.
- File quickly if you decide to use an available name, because availability can change.
Do not rely on these alone
- Domain name availability.
- Google search results.
- Social media usernames.
- DBA search only.
- An old screenshot of the SOS search page.
Annual Reports, Certificates and Certified Copies After You Find the Record
Once you confirm the correct entity, use the official follow-up tool that matches your need.
Annual report
Active registered entities can file original annual reports online. Delinquent annual reports may incur a late fee.
Annual report helpCertificate of Good Standing
Anyone can request a certificate for eligible South Dakota registered entities, except excluded categories listed by the SOS.
Certificate helpCertified copies
Certified copy requests require the Business ID and document selection. Documents before 11/14/2016 are not available for certified copies online.
Certified copiesSouth Dakota Business Entity Fees Common Items Users Ask About
The public entity lookup is free. Filings, certificates, copies, and paper processing can have fees.
| Service or filing | Listed fee | Best for | Action / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Information Search | Free | Looking up LLCs, corporations, Business ID, status, and public entity details. | Search business |
| Registered Agent Search | Free | Checking businesses represented by a registered agent. | Search agents |
| Certificate of Good Standing/Existence | $20 online | Official proof for banks, vendors, contracts, lenders, or compliance requests. | Business ID is required. |
| Certificate by paper | $35 | Paper route when online filing is not used. | Includes paper filing fee. |
| Copies | $2 per page | Plain copies of entity documents. | Check whether certified copy is required. |
| Certified copies | $15 + $2 per page | Official certified document copies. | Use official certified copy request tool. |
| Reservation of Name | $25 | Holding a name before filing. | Search availability first. |
| Paper filing fee | $15 | Paper filings that could otherwise be filed online. | May be added to many paper routes. |
| Late fee for delinquent annual reports | $50 | Delinquent annual report filing. | Applies per annual report. |
| Domestic Articles of Incorporation | $150 online / $165 paper | Creating a domestic business corporation. | Confirm latest fee schedule before filing. |
Common South Dakota Search Problems and Fast Fixes
Most failed searches happen because the user enters too much, uses the wrong filter, or checks only active entities.
No results found
Remove LLC, Inc, Corp, commas, periods, apostrophes, and “The.” Try the Contains option with the strongest unique word.
Too many results
Add another key word or use Business ID. Then compare entity type, status, address, and registered agent.
Active filter hides records
Turn off Active Entities Only when you need dissolved, revoked, delinquent, older, or historical records.
Agent name mismatch
Use Registered Agent Search and try both individual name and business name versions.
Certificate request fails
Confirm the entity is eligible, active and in good standing, and that the Business ID is correct.
Legal or tax question
The SOS search can show filings, but it does not replace legal advice, tax registration, permits, or professional licensing checks.
South Dakota Secretary of State Business Services Phone, Address and Map
Use the Business ID and exact legal name when contacting the Business Services office about a filing, record, report, certificate, or copy request.
Business Services
Business Filings Phone: 605-773-4845
Fax: 605-773-4550
Email: corpinfo@state.sd.us
Physical / mailing address
Secretary of State
Capitol Building
500 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 112
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Office hours
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time
Monday through Friday
Closed on recognized holidays.
Official South Dakota Business Entity Resources Use These After Reading
These are official South Dakota Secretary of State pages connected to business entity lookup and filing tasks.
Business Information Search
Main official lookup for South Dakota businesses by name or Business ID.
Open business searchBusiness Services portal
Central page for business search, name availability, registered agents, certificates, certified copies, and forms.
Open portalRegistered Agent Search
Search registered agents and see related agent information on file with the SOS.
Search agentsName Availability Search
Check exact proposed business name availability, then test variations separately.
Check nameCertificate of Good Standing
Request, pay for, receive, or verify eligible certificates online.
Get certificateCertified Copies
Request certified copies of business entity documents on file with the Secretary of State.
Request copiesStart a New Business
Form or register a new South Dakota business using the official online filing path.
Start businessDBA / Fictitious Search
Search DBA or fictitious business names by business name, owner, ID, city, date range, and active status.
Search DBASouth Dakota Business Entity Search FAQ
Is South Dakota business entity search free?
Yes. Individual business entity information can be searched, viewed, and printed for free through the official South Dakota Secretary of State Business Information Search.
Where do I search for a South Dakota LLC or corporation?
Use the official South Dakota Secretary of State Business Information Search. You can search by Search Name or Secretary of State Business ID.
Can I search South Dakota businesses by Business ID?
Yes. The official search page includes a Business ID field. This is the best exact lookup when you already have the Secretary of State Business ID.
What does Active Entities Only mean?
Active Entities Only filters the results to active records. Turn it off when you need dissolved, revoked, delinquent, old, or historical entity records.
Can I search by registered agent in South Dakota?
Yes. South Dakota has a separate registered agent search where users can search by registered agent name, agent number, or agent business name.
How do I check South Dakota business name availability?
Use the official Name Availability Search for exact-name screening. For variations, use Business Information Search with different words, suffixes, and spelling options.
How much is a South Dakota Certificate of Good Standing?
The South Dakota certificate page lists a $20 filing fee for Certificate of Good Standing/Existence requests filed electronically online.
What do I need to request certified copies?
You need the Secretary of State Business ID and information about which documents you need. The certified copy tool presents available documents later in the process.
Can I file a South Dakota annual report online?
Yes. Registered business entities that are active can use the annual report tool to file an original annual report. Business ID is needed for the process.
Who do I call for South Dakota business entity search help?
Call South Dakota Secretary of State Business Filings at 605-773-4845. The Business Services office is at the Capitol Building, 500 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 112, Pierre, SD 57501-5070.
Does a South Dakota SOS record prove a business is licensed or trustworthy?
No. SOS business records mainly show entity filing information. For taxes, professional licenses, insurance, permits, legal status, or fraud concerns, check the correct agency or adviser.
Final Practical Advice
For most users, the safest South Dakota business entity search workflow is simple: search the name broadly, open close matches, confirm entity type and status, copy the Business ID, check the registered agent, then use annual report, certificate, certified copy, or name availability tools only after confirming the exact record.
Best path: Business Information Search → open entity detail → save Business ID → check status and registered agent → use certificate, copies, or reports only when required.
Editorial verification note: official South Dakota Secretary of State resources checked on August 6, 2026. This guide is informational and does not provide legal, tax, licensing, fraud-investigation, or business formation advice.